Modular lubrication multiple concentration control apparatus

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for including within a carrier fluid to be utilized in different areas at least one additive in a constant predetermined concentration and at least one other additive in varying concentration depending on the particular area of use. For example, this invention allows various concentrations of one chemical such as a lubricant in a carrier liquid such as water to be delivered to selected different areas while maintaining a constant concentration of other chemicals such as chelates and the like in the carrier liquid. Thus, the invention lends itself to an apparatus and method of treating a plurality of zones of a processing line with a liquid, the liquid comprising a treatment liquid and a stock liquid in combination such as to maintain the concentration of one or more constituents constant while varying the concentration of one or more other constituents. The invention particularly concerns the lubricating of conveyors as in bottling lines and the like.

This application is a divisional application of copending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 07/782,529 filed Oct. 24, 1991 now U.S. Pat. No.5,247,957.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in a preferred embodiment to a method andapparatus for treating a plurality of zones of a processing line with acarrier liquid, the liquid including a lubricant and additionalingredients. One particular application of the invention is in thedistribution of a lubricant composition to surfaces which requirelubrication and more particularly the distribution of lubricantcomposition to conveyors or tracks along which bottles or cans areconveyed.

In canning and bottling lines large numbers of cans or bottles areconventionally transported using variously designed conveyor systems.The cans or bottles slide along these conveyors and it is necessary tosupply the conveyors with a lubricating material to reduce friction andto afford some cleaning action. Such materials are usually water solubleor water dispersible and may comprise active lubricating agents such assoap and optionally other components such as detergents, solvents andwater softening and conditioning agents. Typically the carrier liquid iswater which has been treated with chelates and bactericides. To beeffective, such additives must be maintained at specific, minimalconcentrations regardless of particular concentration being used for thelubricating additive.

Canning and bottling lines typically have many conveyor tracks in aconveyor system and the lubricant is diluted and applied to the varioustracks in the system by spray, foam or drip application, the spraynozzles or other outlets being fed by a pipework system from a centralpoint. At the central point, there is typically a dilution device whichtakes neat chemical product and dilutes it with the carrier liquid i.e.,water in most cases. The resulting solution is pumped through thepipework system to the points of application. The thin waterylubricating composition is customarily pumped or sprayed onto thevarious conveyor tracks at a variety of selected locations.

The lubricating compositions previously used and most lubricatingsystems accomplish more than simply lubricating the conveyor. Forexample, in the beer brewing industry, the growth of bacteria on theconveyor is a problem. It has been customary in the past that thelubricating compositions sprayed onto the conveyor also include abactericide for inhibiting bacteria growth. Similarly, the water supplyin certain parts of the country has a relatively high mineral content.When such a water supply is used in the lubricating composition, ittends to rust or otherwise degrade the conveying apparatus. Thus, thelubricating composition also desirably contains a water conditionerand/or rust inhibitor. Other ingredients may also be included.Consequently, the lubricating composition which is conventionallysprayed onto the conveyors actually comprises a multiple-ingredientcomposition.

One prior art conveyor lubricating system is known as the Monarch CrownLube System which is used by the Monarch Chemical Division of H. B.Fuller Company, the assignee of the present invention. In this system, apump is provided for pumping a concentrate of the composition to aholding tank. This concentrate is then diluted with water to form thelubricating composition. The lubricating composition contained in theholding tank is then suitably applied to the conveyor. Operation of thepump for pumping the composition to the holding tank is controlled by aconductivity sensor in the holding tank.

Another system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,776 to Wilson andBarrett. That patent is also assigned to H. B. Fuller Company, theassignee of the present invention. In this system, the ingredients whichcomprise the lubricating composition are supplied separately whenformulating the composition by means of individual supply tanks in whicha concentrate of each of the needed ingredients is held. Separate pumpsare provided for separately conducting each of the ingredientconcentrates to a holding tank. By varying pumping ratios the amount ofany given ingredient in the final lubricating composition can bechanged.

Another system has been disclosed in European Pat. Application No.0079152 (Chemed Corporation). That application discloses an arrangementin which the lubricant and water are piped separately to points along aconveyor. This system allows the lubricant to be individually metered ateach point as the lubricant and water are not mixed in the pipeworkitself.

Another system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,457 to Bird, Crossand Singh. That patent describes a method of treating a plurality ofzones of a processing line with a liquid comprised of a treatment liquidand a carrier liquid wherein the treatment liquid is introduced intopipes conveying the carrier liquid to each zone as discrete slugs andwherein the volume of each slug is selectively variable or wherein eachslug may be introduced into the pipes at a selectively variablefrequency.

One of the earlier problems with prior art lubricating systems was thatthe lubricating composition concentrate contained predetermined ratiosof the various ingredients therein. The problem was that a singleformulation of the concentrate was seldom effective for all conveyorplant operations. For example, a particular conveying application mighthave a serious bacteria growth problem. This might require that thecomposition being used in that application contain a high level ofbactericide. This adjustment might be made by increasing the amount ofbactericide concentrate in the lubricating composition. However, becauseof the ratio of the bactericide in any given concentrate was alwaysfixed relative to the levels of the lubricant or the water conditioner,increasing the amount of the bactericide and the composition alsoincreased the amount of lubricant being used and also the amount ofwater conditioner used. Thus, the amount of lubricant when increasedmight be to a point of excess such that it was unnecessarily costly andwasteful.

As an example, certain parts of a canning or bottling track need morelubricating and cleaning than others. In particular, in a bottling linewhich uses bottles which have already been used and are returned dirtyby the user, the bottles at the in-feed-end of the line have a largeamount of soil on them which tends to be transferred to the track. Also,there is liable to be spillage of the product with which the bottles orcans are being filled at the filling station, and the spilled productends up on the track. Accordingly, additional lubrication is desirableat the filling station and separately at the dirty bottle in-feed. Sincethe lubricant is typically a soap-like chemical, over lubrication leadsto excessive foaming. Excess foam is detrimental, for example, becauseit can trigger off optical scanning instruments and if spilled on thefloor can lead to a safety hazard. Further, over lubrication isexpensive because lubricant is wasted. The main constituent of the tracklubricant i.e., the soap or the like precipitates lime soaps in thepresence of hard water i.e., when mixed with hard water in the dilutingsystem. These precipitates block the spraying nozzles and are generallydetrimental to the operation. To overcome this problem, it is known toadd a sequestering agent to stop precipitation. However, thissequesterant is typically an expensive chemical.

Consequently, attempts have been made in the prior art as evident by theabove referenced patents to allow individual control over theconcentrations of the various ingredients in the carrier liquid for useat different points in a processing line. As can be seen from the abovereferenced patents, various approaches have been made to solve thisproblem primarily by supplying the various ingredients of thelubricating composition separately to the carrier liquid. However, noneof the prior art solutions to the problem have been completelysatisfactory in that they tended to be overly complicated. Thus, it is aprimary objective of the present invention to provide a new and improvedapparatus wherein water conditioning and sanitizing ingredients and anyother ingredients may be maintained at proper concentrations while thelubricant or other ingredient concentration is varied as desired in asimple straight forward manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its preferred embodiment, this invention provides a method andapparatus which allow the pretreatment of a water supply or othercarrier fluid with chemicals to provide bactericide and waterconditioners and/or other ingredients in a desired concentration. Thispretreated water is then split into two branches of flow. One flow istreated with another chemical such as a lubricant to prepare a "stock"solution in which the lubricant or other chemicals can be varied inconcentration by dilution, for example in the case of a lubricant from1:1 to 1:100. The other flow is not treated further and is used as adiluent of the "stock" solution. It is sometimes referred to herein asthe "treatment" solution. Further dilution of the "stock" solution iscontrolled by means of time controlled solenoids, pumps or the like (onefor each zone in the processing line) which allow the blending of thefirst flow of treated water i.e., "stock" solution with the second flowi.e., the "treatment" solution. Any dilution can be obtained withoutvarying the concentration of the bactericide or other water conditioningingredients added before split of the flow since they are contained inboth branches of flow.

In operation of the apparatus, the carrier liquid, such as water in astandard water supply line, flows into a control zone by means of linepressure or pump. The term "control zone" is meant to refer to the areain which ingredients are added to the water and solution blending takesplace. Flow is measured with an electronic flow meter or a mechanicalflow meter or the like. The flow meter provides a signal, electronic ormechanical, to a series of pumps. These pumps or feeding devicesindividually pump predetermined amounts of bactericides, lubricides,chelates and the like and other water conditioners into the carrierliquid water, which is then passed through a blending chamber or thelike for mixing. The treated water flow is split with one portion, i.e.,the "stock solution", being further treated with lubricants, detergentsor other chemicals whose concentration will later be varied depending onthe point of application. The other portion of the treated water streami.e., the "treatment solution", is directed to a bank of control valvesor metering devices (one for each zone of the processing line) where itis combined with the shock solution in various relative amounts toprovide predetermined desired dilutions of the ingredients in the stocksolution. Once the stock solution has been diluted, it passes intoblending chambers to provide mixing of the two liquids for uniformity.The resultant solution is then transferred to the point of use in thezone for which it is intended.

The advantage of a system of this type is that it allows for certainchemical components to be maintained at an optimum concentration whileallowing other components to be varied in concentration to maximize costefficiencies.

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there areshown in the drawings and described in detail herein specific preferredembodiments of the invention. The present disclosure is anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail hereinbelow when taken inconjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numeralsrefer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conveyor lubricating system which maymake use of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of the apparatus of the present inventionshowing the preferred arrangement of a modular multiple zone lubricationapparatus or system which may be used with a conveyor system of the typeshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 (3a and 3b) are schematic showings of the operation of one typeof preferred solenoid valve which may be used in a system according tothis invention, and

FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic view of one type of preferred controlcircuit which may be used with the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 together, an improved lubricationapparatus according to the present invention is generally illustrated inFIG. 2. The lubricating apparatus is particularly meant for use with aconveyor such as the arrangement shown generally at 4 in FIG. 1.Conveyor 4 may comprise any suitable conveyor which requires that alubricating composition be applied thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, conveyor4 may be a chain conveyor which is suited for conveying bottles and orcans in the bottling industry. Conveyor 4 includes a plurality ofarticle-carrying slot members 6 pivotally connected to a chain 8.Conveyor 4 has a top flight 10 and a bottom return flight 12 locatedunderneath top flight 10.

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, a means for applying the lubricatingcomposition to conveyor 4 will include any conventional spraying orother discharge means for simply conducting the lubricating compositiononto top flight 10 of conveyor 4. A plurality of spray nozzles 26 (oneof which is shown in FIG. 1) are one preferred means for applying thelubricating composition to top flight 10 of conveyor 4. Nozzles 26 areall connected by a supply conduit or pipe 28 to the discharge of mixingor blending chamber 30 (shown in FIG. 2).

What has been described thus far represents an arrangement for applyinglubricating composition to one zone or area in the conveyor system inwhich the lubricant is present in the water carrier vehicle in apredetermined concentration, such as 50:1 and the additionalingredients, such as a chelate to bind heavy metals againstprecipitation such as nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) orethylenediaminetriacetic acid (EDTA) and a bactericide, are also presentin a predetermined concentration or amount in the carrier vehicle water.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2, an apparatus of the invention includes meansfor supplying the various concentrates of the lubricant and additionalingredients to the carrier liquid as generally indicated at 32 in FIG.2. Most lubricating compositions used in the bottling industry comprisea plurality of distinct components or ingredients in addition to asolvent or diluent. These ingredients generally include a suitablelubricant, a bactericide for inhibiting bacteria growth and a waterconditioner or chelate for treating where necessary the mineral contentof the water supply normally used to formulate the lubricatingcomposition. The water conditioner in certain situations may alsoinclude a rust inhibitor. In any event, the lubricating compositionwhich is formed in the water carrier usually includes one or more of theconcentrates of these additional separate ingredients. In accordancewith this invention and as shown in FIG. 2, a first supply tank or othercontainer 34 is provided for holding a concentrate of a suitablelubricant or lubricating agent. A second supply tank or other container35 is provided for holding a concentrate of a suitable bactericide and athird supply tank or other container 36 is provided for holding a supplyof a suitable water conditioning agent or chelate which might alsoinclude a rust inhibitor. While the present invention is illustratedwith regard to a system having three separate ingredients for formingthe overall lubricating composition, any number of ingredients could beused wherein the overall lubricating composition serves additionalfunctions. Likewise, any number of ingredients like the lubricant theconcentration of which is to be varied by dilution, might be used andany number of additional ingredients like the chelate and bactericide,which are to be of fixed concentration, may be used as well. Each of thetanks 34-36 are respectively connected by fluid supply conduits or pipes37-39. Each of the conduits 37- 39 are respectively connected tosuitable individual pumping means 40-42. High efficiency metering pumpssuch as the Series A37 and A77 for pumps 41 and 42, B72 or B73 for pump40 or even D72 and D73 available from LMI, Liquid MetronicsIncorporated, 18 Craig Road, Acton, Mass. 01720 are examples ofpreferred pumps. Pumps 40-42 are independently adjustable so that theamount of the concentrate being delivered by each pump to the carrierwater via conduits 43-45 can be varied and precisely metered, typicallydetermined by flow rate.

The apparatus, still referring to FIG. 2, also includes a water linesupply conduit or pipe 50 which supplies the carrier liquid water to theapparatus. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the outputs of pumps 41 and 42 areconnected by conduits 44 and 45 to water line 50 whereby a predeterminedamount of concentration bactericide 35 and chelate 36 are introducedinto the carrier water.

After introduction of these concentrates, the water passes through amixing chamber 51 and then the stream splits into two branches 52 and 54to provide two streams A and B, respectively. Stream A passes throughconduit 52 to pump 40; stream B passes through conduit 54. The output ofpump 40 via conduit 43 is connected to branch pipe or conduit 52 so asto provide a supply of lubricant 34 to the water carrier flowing inbranch 52 i.e., stream A. Branch 52 is connected to the inlet end ofmixing or blending chamber 30 so as to introduce stream A into chamber30 along with the added ingredients: lubricant 34, bactericide 35 andchelate 36. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the solution emanating fromchamber 30 in conduit 55, in addition to being directed via conduit 28to zone 1, is also directed via conduit 55 to the inlets of threesolenoid valves 56-58 which serve to introduce fluid to a plurality ofadditional conveyor zones, such as zones 2-4, as indicated in FIG. 2.The solution, i.e., stream A, as it emanates from mixing chamber 30(sometimes referred to as a "stock" solution herein), contains apredetermined concentration of lubricants such as 50:1 and apredetermined concentration of bactericide, such as 50-300 ppm andchelate, such as 1 ounce in 10 gallons to 1 ounce per gallon. Conduit orpipe 55 is suitably arranged to conduct the "stock" solution from themixing chamber 51 to zone 1 and to the appropriate inlets of each of thethree-way solenoid valves 56-58 as shown.

At the three way valves 56-58, the "stock" solution is diluted by theaddition thereto of stream B water, sometimes referred to herein as"treatment solution", which is conducted to the second inlets of thevalves 56-58 by means of conduit or pipe 54, as shown. The three waysolenoid valves 56-58 may be of the preferred type provided by theSkinner Valve Division of Honeywell, Inc., 95 Edgewood Avenue, NewBritain, Conn. 06051; Model 714N51N2A, three-way multipurpose valve. Itcan be seen that depending on the relative amounts of "stock solution"and "treatment solution" allowed to flow through each of the valveswill, the dilution of the stock solution will vary only insofar as thelubricant 34 is concerned but not insofar as the bactericide 35 andchelate 36 is concerned since the latter two ingredients are containedin both solutions A and B whereas the lubricant is contained only in the"stock solution" A. Consequently, it is possible to obtain variations inthe lubricant amount such as for example 100:1 in zone 2, 200:1 in zone3, and 400:1 in zone 4 or any other relative amounts as desired withoutvarying the chemical concentrations of the bactericide and chelate orother such additives.

The primary purpose i.e., dilution in the operation of the system isachieved by pulsing the solenoid control valves 56, 57 and 58. This willbe better understood by referring to FIG. 3A and 3B which schematicallyshows the pulsing operation of a solenoid controlled valve of the typepreferred for use at 56-58. When no power is applied to the solenoidcoil 72 (FIG. 3A), stock solution flows through the valve to the mixingchamber with the treatment solution port 74 blocked. Upon theapplication of power to the coil 72 (FIG. 3B), flow commences throughthe treatment solution port 74 to the mixing chamber with the stocksolution port 76 being blocked. By varying the dwell time, i.e., pulsingcoil 72, an infinite variation of dilutions may be obtained. A smallprogrammable controller may also be used for control of the dwell timeusing inputs to select the specific timer and output to pulse thesolenoid valve. Other types of valves or the like may be used as well.

The outlets of valves 56-58 i.e., 59-61, (FIG. 2) conduct the variousfinal mixtures of lubricating solution and so forth to correspondingmixing or blending chambers 62-64 which in turn after suitable mixingand blending of the final solutions, introduce them via conduits 65-67to the various zones for which the solutions are ultimately intended foruse in the conveyor system.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is controlled by anelectrical controller circuit means generally indicated at 70 withseveral recycle timers, (best understood with reference to FIG. 4) thenumber of recycle timers corresponding to the number of zones to becontrolled and operated. The circuit schematic for a preferredcontroller 70 is shown in FIG. 4. In the apparatus of FIG. 2, thecontoller would operate three recycle timers for controlling andoperating zones 2-4. Zone 1 does not require one. Further understandingof controller 70 requires reference to FIG. 4 which shows an electricalcircuit schematic for controller 70. Provision is made in the circuitfor six zones to show for example that a wide variety of zones may becontrolled and operated in accordance with the invention and that theinvention is not limited to the zones shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2.The circuit shown is exemplary only and other circuit designs can bedesigned which would function in accordance with the broad teachings ofthis invention wherein dilution of a "stock" solution by a "treatment"solution may be accomplished to vary concentration of one or moreingredients in a "stock" solution by use of a "treatment" solution as adiluent. Also, the electrical recycle timers may be replaced with aprogrammable controller or the like. In the preferred embodiment shown,each recycle timer is of the known type which is a continuous electricaltimer that recycles continuously to provide timed pulses to thesolenoids valves when the timer is on, thereby pulsing the valves.

With respect now to the operation of the conveyor lubricating apparatusof the invention operation may for example commence when water flowsthrough the system by opening a valve 69 (FIG. 2). This may be by manualor remote electrical or other means. For example, valve 69 may be anelectrically operated valve which is opened when the conveyor line isstarted. The water passes through a flow meter 77 of the type describedbelow, which generates an electrical signal. This analog signal whichvaries in intensity is transferred to controller 70 (electricalconnection indicated in FIG. 4 but not in FIG. 2 for simplicity) whereit is converted to digital electrical pulses. The controller pulses,which vary with the intensity of the signal from controller 70, drivethe pretreatment pumps 40-42 (electrical connection indicated in FIG. 4but not shown in FIG. 2 for simplicity). A satisfactory flowmeter is thelow flow sensor Signet Model 2530, which may be obtained from SignetScientific Co., 3401 Aero Jet Avenue, El Monte, Calif. 91731. As alreadynoted, the number of pretreatment pumps may vary widely, for examplefrom 1 to 10, depending on the type of treatment desired.

Once pretreatment is complete, the water flow is split into branchconduits 52 and 54 (FIG. 2) i.e., streams A and B, with part A going toa second treatment area where the primary dilution of lubricant isaccomplished to provide the "stock" solution and part B going to thezoned solution solenoids as the "treatment" solution. The lubricatingsolution A is then directed to the zone control solenoids 56-58. Variousconcentrations of the final lubricating solution is obtained by pulsingthe zone solenoids at different rates causing a dilution and blending ofthe lubricating solution A with pretreated water B and passing themixture through the blending chambers to obtain uniform solutions.

More specifically, the apparatus of the invention is operated by demandsfrom the zones. Therefore, the apparatus will be in an inactive statewhen all zones are inactive. When a zone becomes active, i.e., signalsthat it requires fluid treatment, a signal from the zone will activatethe programmable controllers or the related recycle timers of controller70. Simultaneously, appropriate pulse pumps are activated. Water flowingthrough the flow meter 77 will cause the additives pumps 41 and 42 toinject a precise amount of chelate, bactericide or any other desiredadditive regardless of flow rate. The flow meter provides an electricalsignal to controller 70 which in turn provides a pulse signal to thepumps. The water and injected additives then pass to mixing chamber 51in line 50-52 creating a homogeneous mixture of fluid. The mixture isthen split into two streams A and B. Stream A passes via 52 through asecond flow meter 79 of the type already described which provides anelectrical signal to controller 70 which in turn provides a pulse signalto pump 40. Pulse pump 40 controls the amounts of those additives e.g.,lubricant, which will be applied in varying concentration (due tosubsequent dilution) at the different zones via conduit 55. Aftertreatment, stream A passes through a mixing chamber 30 to provide ahomogenous solution which is then supplied to the solenoid inlets viaconduit 55, as shown in FIG. 2. Stream B is transferred directly to theappropriate inlets of the zone through solenoids via conduit 54, asshown. Controlled pulsing of the zone solenoids 56-58 by the relatedrecycle timers allows controlled volumes of streams A and B to be passedthrough the valves and into mixing chambers. By varying the pulse ratesof the solenoids 56-58, an infinite number of dilutions may be obtainedfrom the A stream while maintaining constant concentration of theadditives initially injected into the stream. As flows increase with theactivation of additional zones, the pump pulses will increase tomaintain the concentration in stock solutions A and B while the pulsingof the zone solenoids will determine the lube concentrations in a givenzone by dilution of stream A with stream B. When a zone shuts down thezone solenoid stops pulsing and flow stops to that zone.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternateembodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognizeother equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein whichequivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attachedhereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conveyor lubricating apparatus for treating aplurality of zones in a conveyor system wherein the lubricant is carriedin a carrier liquid which includes additional ingredients and whereinthe additional ingredients are introduced to all of the different zonesin a predetermined fixed concentration while the lubricant is introducedto different zones in differing predetermined concentrations the systemcomprising:a source of carrier liquid; a plurality of three-wayelectrically operated values, one for each zone each valve having twoinlets and one outlet; a first pipe interconnecting the source ofcarrier liquid and one of the inlets on each of the valves; a source orsources of one or more of the additional ingredients to be added to thecarrier liquid; means for supplying the additional ingredients to thecarrier liquid in the first pipe such that the amount of each ingredientcontained in the carrier liquid can be separately controlled; a secondpipe interconnecting the first pipe and the second inlet on each of thevalves, the second pipe connecting into the first pipe downstream of thepoint at which the additional ingredients are added; means for supplyinga lubricant to the carrier liquid in the second pipe such that theamount of lubricant contained in the carrier liquid can be separatelycontrolled; a separate outlet pipe connected to each of the outlets onthe valves for introducing the carrier liquid to the various zones andcontrol means in a predetermined manner independently operating each ofthe valves to vary the relative amounts of carrier liquid in the firstpipe and carrier liquid in the second pipe which are contained in eachvalve for introduction to the various zones through each of the outletpipes.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including means for mixing the fluidfrom each outlet of each valve before it is introduced to the zone forwhich it is intended.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means forsupplying the additional ingredients to the carrier liquid in the firstpipe includes:a) a separate supply container for each additionalingredient; b) means for independently pumping each of the ingredientsinto the first pipe, and c) wherein the pumping means is adjustable toselectively vary the amount of each ingredient being pumped from eachsupply container to the first pipe.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 whereinthe means for supplying the lubricant to the carrier liquid in thesecond pipe includes:a) a separate supply container for the lubricant;b) means for pumping the lubricant into the second pipe, and c) whereinthe pumping means is adjustable to selectively vary the amount oflubricant being pumped from the supply container into the second pipe.